Despised and Rejected

My sun has set, I dwellIn darkness as a dead man out of sight;And none remains, not one, that I should tellTo him mine evil plightThis bitter night.I will make fast my doorThat hollow friends may trouble me no more.

‘Friend, open to Me.’—Who is this that calls? Nay, I am deaf as are my walls: Cease crying, for I will not hear 10 Thy cry of hope or fear. Others were dear, Others forsook me: what art thou indeed That I should heed Thy lamentable need? Hungry should feed, Or stranger lodge thee here?

‘Friend, My Feet bleed. Open thy door to Me and comfort Me.’ I will not open, trouble me no more. 20 Go on thy way footsore, I will not rise and open unto thee.

‘Then is it nothing to thee? Open, seeWho stands to plead with thee.Open, lest I should pass thee by, and thouOne day entreat My FaceAnd howl for grace,And I be deaf as thou art now.Open to Me.’

Then I cried out upon him: Cease, 30 Leave me in peace: Fear not that I should crave Aught thou mayst have. Leave me in peace, yea trouble me no more, Lest I arise and chase thee from my door. What, shall I not be let Alone, that thou dost vex me yet?

But all night long that voice spake urgently: ‘Open to Me.’ Still harping in mine ears: 40 ‘Rise, let Me in.’ Pleading with tears: ‘Open to Me that I may come to thee.’ While the dew dropped, while the dark hours were cold: ‘My Feet bleed, see My Face, See My Hands bleed that bring thee grace, My Heart doth bleed for thee, Open to Me.’

So till the break of day: Then died away 50 That voice, in silence as of sorrow; Then footsteps echoing like a sigh Passed me by, Lingering footsteps slow to pass. On the morrow I saw upon the grass Each footprint marked in blood, and on my door The mark of blood for evermore.

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